Dr. Buker came to Chester in the 50s and established a rural hospital that today boasts 25 beds, emergency services and a clinic. In these parts he is legend. What brought him to a small town in Montana? For that matter, why did he pursue a career in medicine? Philip talks with Doc about his life before arriving in Montana, and several fascinating entrepreneurial and culinary adventures as he made his way through medical school at Yale. It takes a certain kind of fortitude to be a rural doctor, and as you listen, you’ll realize Doc Buker has always had that in spades.

Over the course of his career, archeologist Steve Aaberg has crafted an interesting specialty, paleoethnobotany: the study of plant use in pre-contact cultures. On a recent fishing trip he and Phil talked about music, archeology, their home town Chester, and Steve’s profound respect for the Plains cultures. He reminds us that in order to preserve the future we must respect the past.

As president of the Ucross Foundation, Sharon Dynak wears many hats; advisor, juggler, economist, politician, soother of egos. Wrangling creative people can be challenging, but Sharon has a way of making the artists feel at home, supported and appreciated for what they do. Philip talked with Sharon at the new composer’s cabin at Ucross, about the transition from the world of publishing in New York to this artist colony in rural Wyoming.

Philip Aaberg is known for creating music that evokes a feeling of Montana’s rivers, sky, mountains and plains. Explore the idea of nature as inspiration in music – complete with some examples from the keyboard.

“Lake|Flato’s architecture can serve as a lesson for us all: how a building stands to the sun, how it welcomes the cooling breeze, how it partners with plant materials. Nothing sensational or exotic, no visual fireworks of fashion, just architecture that intrigues the mind, delights the soul, and refreshes the eye with its elegant detail and simplicity. Timeless architecture needn’t shout …” William Turnbull, FAIA

Couldn’t have said it better ourselves! David Lake talks to Philip about Plains architecture and the 100 mile rule.

After decades behind a movie camera, Gary Thieltges founded Doggicam. He creates innovative camera mounting and moving systems, enabling cinematographers to create on film the shots they imagine. In 2005 he was awarded a Technical Achievement Oscar for invention of the Sparrowcam. Gary visited his hometown Chester, Montana and spoke with Phil at the Sweetgrass Music studio “The Bin”.